I was born in Poonch (Kashmir) and now I live in Norway. I oppose war and violence and am a firm believer in the peaceful co-existence of all nations and peoples. In my academic work I have tried to espouse the cause of the weak and the oppressed in a world dominated by power politics, misleading propaganda and violations of basic human rights. I also believe that all conscious members of society have a moral duty to stand for and further the cause of peace and human rights throughout the world.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Ongoing peaceful struggle to gain freedom from Indian rule to continue in Kashmir: Yasin Malik

Addressing a pro-freedom rally at historic Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) here after he was bought out by the people from his residence where he was under house arrest since September 1, Malik said, “Our ongoing freedom struggle would continue till Kashmir achieves freedom.”

He said more than 50 people including youth were killed by the paramilitary CRPF troopers and police since the recent pro-freedom uprising in Kashmir. “These and thousands of Kashmir people have offered sacrifices to achieve freedom. We can’t betray our people. We would fight till we achieve our goal,” said Malik.

Malik accused paramilitary troopers and police of “unleashing reign of terror” on people to suppress the ongoing struggle. “A reign of terror has been let loose by Indian agencies that have started intimidating, arresting and harassing Kashmir people especially youth and government employees. This is a new tactic used by the government to harass the people and suppress the freedom struggle,” Malik said.

The government, Malik accused, has re-activated the Ikhwanis and SOG personnel in many parts of the Kashmir especially south Kashmiri’s Islamabad to harass the people.

“Such repressive tactics can’t suppress our will to seek Azadi. The more New Delhi and the state government would use force to silent the Kashmiri people, more would the determination among the Kashmiri people to seek their right of freedom,” Malik said, moments before he was injured when police fired teargas canisters and resorted to baton charging to disperse hundreds of protesters who had again thronged the Ghanta Ghar seeking Azadi.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Malik said the recent economic blockade enforced by some extremist groups in Jammu to Kashmir “has only resolved the determination of Kashmiris to get freedom. It infused new blood to the ongoing freedom struggle and the turn out of lakhs of people for an attempted march to Muzaffarabad, and march to Pampore, TRC ground and Eidgah should be a clear message for India that Kashmir wants freedom.”

Malik urged people to follow the program by Coordination Committee and hold peaceful protests.